Protector for traveling-bags.



Patented Dot. 2|, |9027 s. B, nuBENs. l PROTECTOR FOR TRAVELING BAGS.

(Application led Apr. 10, 1.902.)

(No Model.)

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UNITE STATES ArtNr Prion.

GEORGE B. RUBENS, OF INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA.

PROTECTOR FOR TRAVELING-BAGS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 711,881, dated October21, 1902.

Application filed April 10, 1902.

T0 LZZ 11171/0777/ t may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE B. RUBnNs, aV citizen of the United States,residing at Indianapolis, in the county of Marion and State of Indiana,have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Protectors forTraveling-Bags, of which the following is a full, clear, and exactdescription.

The object of the invention is to provide a device for attachment totraveling-bags for raising them out of contact with the earth, floors,pavements, and other surfaces, so as to preserve or protect them fromabrasion and defilement, the device serving also to retain the shape ofthe bags by preventing sagging of their bottoms.

By the terni traveling-bags`I mean to include not only those devicescommonly socalled and satchels, suit-cases, and the like, but all thosereceptacles usually carried by hand by travelers.

The invention comprises a plate of approximately the width of the bottomof the bag, applicable one at each end to such bottom and having feetprojecting therefrom, so that the bag when placed upright upon the earthor other surface has the feet interposed between its bottom and suchsurface, and thereby is lifted above that surface free of abrasionandldeilement by contact therewith. This device performs in addition thefunctions of stiffenin g the bottom of the bag to resist its sagging,and, further, its use upon suit-cases and the like affords a support forthe cover when open and guards the cornercovers.

In the accompanying drawings, illustrating my invention, in the severalfigures of which like parts are similarly designated, Figure l is aperspective view showing the protectors applied to a closed suit-case.Fig. 2 `is a cross-section of the hinge end, showing the cover or topopen and resting upon the feet. Fig. 3 is a bottom plan view of thedevice detached. Fig. 4 is a top plan view. Fig. 5ris a side elevation.

A description of the application of my protector to a suit-case, asshown in Figs. l and 2, will sufce to indicate its construction andoperation. The suit-case includes a body portion a, a cover b, hingedthereto and of Iilement thereof.

less depth than the body, as usual, and the Serial No. 102,319. (Nomodel bottom c, to which last the protectors d are applied, one neareach end and transversely thereof. Each protector comprises a baseplatee of any approved shape or design, at each end of which is a cross-piecef, perforated for the passage of fastening devices, such as screw boltsg, and having a foot h of such length as to raise the bottom of the caseabove the surface upon which it maybe placed and so prevent the abrasionand de- The feet may be applied to the plate itself and the cross-piecesomitted and other means used to receive the fastenings. The fasteningdevices, if screw-bolts, are passed through the cross-pieces and thebottom of the case and secured by individual washers t and nutsj, asshown in Fig. 2, or the washers may be replaced by washer-plates k,Figs. 4 and 5. Any other suitable fastenings may be used. v

The provision of the plates e serves to reinforce the bottom and preventsagging or bulging to a very marked extent; but they may be dispensedwith and the feet applied otherwise.

Not onlydo the feet serve the purpose of protectors, as described; butwhen the case is laid on its side and opened, as in Fig. 2, they serveas supports for the cover, and so relieve the hinges of some strains.Moreover, they constitute a firm support for sustaining the case or bagupright, and they also guard or protect the corner-coverings and hingesfrom undue wear and defacement.

These protectors may be made of metal and as castings, although, asindicated in Fig. 2, the feet may be screwed or riveted into the plate.

The foregoing and other modifications of the device I mean to include aswithin the claims herein made.

What I claim isl. A traveling-bag protector, comprising a base-plateadapted to extend crosswise of the bag, cross-pieces at its ends adaptedto receive fastening devices, and feet projecting from saidcross-pieces, substantially as described.

2. A dress-suit case, having a body portion,

.a cover hinged thereto, and a bottom, combined with protectorscomprising base-plates arranged transversely of the bottom and inn IOOdependent of the hinges, means whereby said base-plates may be securedto said bottom, and feet projecting from said plates at opposite endsthereof and at opposite sides of the.

5 bottom ofthe case, substantially as described.

3. Atraveling-bag protector,comprisng essentially a base-plate ofapproximately the opposite ends, combined with the bag, to the bottom ofwhich said base-plate is applied, and fastening devices for uniting theplate and the bottom of the bag, substantially as [5 described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 7th day of April,A. D. 1902.

Width of the bottom of the bag, having crossi GEORGE B. RUBENS. piecesat its ends perforated for the passage l Vitnesses:

Io/ Qf devices for fastening the protector to the EDWARD K. CHAPMAN,

bag, and also havingT feet projecting from its ARAL LEE CHAPMAN.

